Boston College Athletics
Photo by: John Quackenbos
Kevin Kavalec: balancing the student-athlete
October 26, 2016 | Football, #ForBoston Files
The defensive end on how he manages athletics and academics
A college student's schedule is hectic. Classes, study sessions, meetings and social activities flood daily planners. The combination of pop quizzes and papers cause rare naps to become one's daily goal.
Now imagine having to pencil in Division I football as well.
Actually, make that a permanent marker because one doesn't really have a choice when it comes to practice, workouts and various other team activites. "Student-athletes" sometimes struggle with picking which part of their title will take precedence but senior Kevin Kavalec seems to have balanced both.
For the past three seasons, the defensive end has been named to a few academic awards including the COSIDA All-District I Academic first team, ACC All-Academic Team (twice), BC's Junior Scholar-Athlete of the Year and the Athletics Director's Award for Academic Achievement (three times).  Kavalec explained the mentality to creating such success as both a scholar and a football player.
"You've got try to apply the same effort you do to football to school and just really grind," he said. "It's a lot of work but it's worth it in the end."
Success has also been hitting home for the Ohio native and his home state for a few months now. Earlier this year he witnessed the Cleveland Cavaliers win the city's first championship in 52 years and now his Indians will attempt an encore.
Players Mentioned
Football: Zeke Moore Media Availability (April 10, 2026)
Friday, April 10
Football: Bill O'Brien Media Availability (April 10, 2026)
Friday, April 10
Football: Favor Bate Media Availability (April 10, 2026)
Friday, April 10
#23 Baseball Defeats Darmouth (April 8, 2026)
Thursday, April 09

















